China urged to call off the Wolf Warriors to build ties with US under Joe Biden

Former Taiwan envoy Douglas Paal says Beijing risks losing out on a golden opportunity to improve the two countries’ relationship

Chinese government should try to work with Washington to improve relations and stop war of words, Paal tells webinar

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The new US administration has said it views China as the country’s most serious competitor. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 8:44pm, 5 Feb 2021Updated: 11:16am, 18 Feb 2021

The Chinese government should ditch its “Wolf Warrior” diplomacy and reach out to the new Biden administration to shape a more mutually beneficial relationship, a former senior US official has said.

Interactions at the start of a new administration are crucial because they could determine whether the two countries are heading towards conflict or coexistence, said Douglas Paal, former director of American Institute in Taiwan, the de facto ambassador.

But Paal, who is now vice-president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, warned that by keeping up the war of words and failing to try to shape more constructive ties, Beijing risked missing out on a golden opportunity.

“We are not at a good start, it’s not fatal yet. But I would cast doubt. The opportunity at this crucial juncture might be missed,” said Paal, during a webinar held by Centre for Globalisation Hong Kong on Friday.

Both countries have continued military operations near the highly sensitive Taiwan Strait since Joe Biden was sworn in, and the US President described China as America’s “most serious competitor” in his first foreign policy speech.

Paal urged the Chinese government to seize the initiative to step forward and show they want to deal with these problems.